"They're a staple in the refrigerator because you can use them for apple pie, sliced apples, apples with peanut butter, baking and in cakes, so this is a great buy with longevity, and that makes a great frugal purchase," said Vento.

Vento said produce can be handled the same way, especially if shoppers consider frozen items.

She said buying store-brand cereals are also a big way to save.

"The store brands actually head up against the national brands really well. The packaging looks the same, the ingredients are often the same and the taste is just as good," said Vento.

And the price the day Cipriani and Vento went shopping was $2 cheaper per box of the store brand. Vento said consumers just have to convince their families to drop brand names … or trick them.

"Take it out of the package when you get home and put it into the cereal container. That's what I do," she said.

Vento said the meat department is another big spot in the store to save. She said deals, like Shop 'n Save's Pick 5 are worth checking out. With that deal, the price on the packaging doesn't matter if a customer buys five of them. Under the deal, every package of meat is $4.

"It's another great way to save in bulk. You're purchasing it up front. You're going to go ahead and freeze it and you'll use it later," said Vento.

Vento said those saving can also jump just by bringing along store loyalty cards. She also pays her bill with a Discover card to earn cash back on groceries.